The day after her wedding Len clings to life by a thread, while Liam boxes with a Super Robert in the simulator. This chapter is dedicated to Sir Sean Connery: Fair Winds and Following Seas Captain

The Royals: The Alternate Time

Part III: Tyrants of the Thaw

By

The Underfaker writing as Bocephus Manticore

The newly wedded Mr. and Mrs. Frost wake on a bearskin rug, a roaring fire being the only thing keeping them warm. Len wakes up first looks at her sleeping husband and thinks "thanks for never giving up on me" she then kisses him, Jasper wakes up in the warm embrace of his wife and says "Thank God it wasn't just a dream" he kisses her from her lips down to her stomach, he stops there and looks with a smile on his face and kisses it again, "what" Len inquires, "one day" he says, she knows automatically what he means. "those words are music to my ears" she replies, "we better get going today's the day we begin planning the" jasper says but Len puts a finger on his lips and says "I know... a wedding one day, plotting to overthrow a king the next, welcome to the family" Jasper then puts a finger on her lips and replies "there's no other family in the world that I'd rather be a part of." They get dressed in their wedding clothes, "Computer end program and begin cleaning cycle" says Jasper they leave and the door shuts behind them they prepare to take a walk of sha... glory back to their quarters.

Outside of their quarters waits Alara, Len runs up hugs her and thanks her for everything that has happened for the past few days, Jasper enters first "Len wait there's something I need to tell you" says Alara. Len motions for Jasper to go on ahead, Alara then says "I hope you don't mind me saying this... Dr. Finn can detect a pregnancy one day after conception", Len hugs her again and thanks her for the information, Alara then lets her know about the meeting in the Captain's quarters in an hour. Alara then leaves to go to the bridge and Len enters her quarters and tells Jasper about the meeting, and lets him know that she will meet him there, she then proceeds to shower and put on the Union Fleet uniform that has been provided.

It takes nearly the full hour for her to been seen by Dr. Claire Finn, "Princess what can I do for you" asks Dr. Finn, "Please call me Len, Lt. Kitan said that you can detect a pregnancy the day after conception" says Len with a smile. Dr. Finn uses a hand-held medical device and informs Len that she will be back with the results. A few minutes go by and Dr. Finn returns stoic. Len goes back to her and Jasper's quarters crying her eyes out the whole way and says "computer are these quarters sound proof", the computer tells her that they are. Len then proceeds to tip over furniture and throw a bottle of whiskey at the wall, she then drops to her knees and just screams as loud as she can. In the captain's quarters Liam and Jasper watch as Lt. Commander Bortus eats an entire pool cue in a few seconds, and then downs an entire bottle of whiskey, he informs them that his people urinate only once per year. "Where is she" asks Cyrus, 30 mins have passed and Len is very late, Queen Helena goes to Jasper and says "Alara told me that procedure was a simple scan and takes about five minutes." Jasper grabs his commscanner and says "Frost to Hen... Frost to Frost... baby please answer" He then runs back to their quarters, when he enters, he sees the uniform she was wearing in a pile on the floor, he then sees a light from the bathroom he enters and the sight he sees scares him more than any other in his life. He sees his wife in the bathtub in chest high water no bubbles hide anything. He sees what he believes to be the lifeless body of the woman he married just yesterday, he pulls her out of the ice-cold water, as he's putting her down her eyes open and when she sees that its him, she manages to get a few words out through her shivering. "Can't have, can't can't have, can't have" she mumbles out, Jasper puts his uniform jacket around Len's freezing body and says with urgency into his commscanner "Frost to sickbay medical emergency in my quarters I believe it's hypothermia", "On my way" Dr. Finn replies, He proceeds to grab Len and try to warm her up with his upper body and says through tears "Baby don't do this I can't lose you again definitely not like this, whatever it is we'll get through it together, like we promised each other, I love you" she looks up at him and says "Jasper... I Lov..." she does not even get the words out as she passes out. Just then Dr. Finn and a medical team burst in, "Scan her vitals", says Finn, "weak pulse, hardened breathing, body temperature 89.5 Fahrenheit" replies the medic. Finn injects Len with medication designed to raise her body temperature rise and says "we have to get her to sickbay" they put her on a mobile bio-bed with Jasper's jacket still covering her and rush her to sickbay. Jasper goes to sickbay where he's told he'll have to wait outside while they put her in a thermal sleeping bag. Jasper crumbles down to the floor hands on his face as tears begin free flowing down.

Back at the Captains quarters Helena asks Liam to go find Len and Jasper, he goes into the corridor and says assuming Jasper is with her "Computer locate Eleanor Henstridge", The computer reply's that there is no one on the ship with that name, he then says "Locate Eleanor Frost" the computer tells him that she is in sickbay. Liam runs to sickbay where he sees a shirtless Jasper sitting against a wall outside. "Jasper what's going on where's Len" he asks... Jasper does not stand, he does not even look up and says, "she's in a thermal bag" Liam sits with him and says "What happened to my sister", "Liam I found her in our bathtub, in ice cold water, I tried to warm her up, she saw me and mumbled out "can't have" repeatedly." Liam does not know what that means but he stands Jasper up hugs him and says "she's the strongest person I've ever known she'll kick out of this", although he knows Len's strong, he's got a feeling in the back of his mind that the next time he sees his sister she will be in a casket. An hour goes by, Helena comes up and demands to know what's going on, Jasper tells her and she nearly collapses "What does it mean can't have, my little girl can have anything she wants" she says crying her eyes out. Just then Dr. Finn enters the corridor and says "We've been able to take her out of the thermal bag, she's gonna be alright I'm going to keep her here overnight though", Jasper pumps his fist and whispers to himself "I knew you heard me princess", Dr. Finn then says "Mr. Frost I need to speak with you privately", "anything you say to me you can say to my family" he replies, Finn sighs and says "I think I know what caused this, the scan she came in for revealed that she's not only not pregnant... Jasper there's no easy way to say this... Len is... infertile." He tears up but knowing that his girl is alright is the most important thing.

"You guys go back to the meeting, I'm staying with my wife" he says as he enters sick bay, and goes to sit where Len is still unconscious, he takes her hand and it feels cold, he rubs it trying in vain to warm it up, he never let's go, he says to her "you scared the shit out of me princess, I don't care if we can't have kids, I care about you, I love you more than anything ever in my life." a couple of hours pass, Cyrus, Liam, Helena and the Orville command crew come by and visit. Helena and Alara stay for hours, Liam and Cyrus go to Cyrus's quarters, this incident has brought them closer than ever. "Jasper do you want me to take over" Helena asks, Jasper shakes his head and says "I've held this hand for six hours, I will hold it for the rest of my life if need be", Helena tells him he needs to rest he begins to think she's right when all of the sudden Len pulls her hand and rolls over on her side still asleep, Jasper smiles and lays down on the floor and falls asleep, Helena grabs his jacket and puts it over him and thinks to herself, "I know my daughter is safe with you bodyguard, Simon would be proud to have you as a son in law as am I." About twenty minutes later Len wakes up still crying, she sees Jasper on the floor and tries to go to him but bangs her knee on the bio-bed's arch scanner. This wakes up Jasper who is immediately at her side "Len, baby you're alright I'm here" he exclaims, he tries to dry the tears off of her face, she grabs his hand and says "I need to tell you something, something terri..." he kisses her and says "I know Dr. Finn told me, I'm still with you", Len then whispers through her tears as she looks at a clock "it was just this morning that we said one day, I did this, all those years", he tilts his head, "All the partying, the sex, the drugs I did this to myself... to us, why did I think ever think a life could grow inside me" she says to him as he grabs her hand. "Don't do that to yourself Eleanor, I don't give a damn about your past, I don't even care if we can't have kids, you are all that matters to me until the universe contracts and beyond" he tells her this with his heart on full display, "I love you Jasper, you see everything inside me, even when I'm at my weakest, now you should go back to our quarters and get some sleep" she says, he replies "I'm not leaving your side tonight, I need to see you", she rests her head on his sholders and whispers "go back and keep our bed warm for me, that's not a request." he smiles at her kisses her on the forehead turns to leave and Len says "thanks for never giving up on me" he smiles again puts on his jacket and before he leaves, he says "you're my world princess" before she can reply he leaves and she falls back asleep.

Late night in Cyrus's quarters he and Liam are stoned, drinking Surge, and watching Star Trek Deep Space Nine on the holoscreen, when Liam hears something that hits home "Kahless said great people do not seek power, they have power thrust upon them." If they succeed in overthrowing Robert, he knows what he is going to do.

Liam wakes up at about 7 am and says "computer has the Orville been monitoring news broadcasts" the computer responds in the affirmative. "Computer please show CNN" the holoscreen comes on with CNN, "This is CNN Breaking news" Liam is now paying full attention "Good evening ladies and gentlemen this is Anderson Cooper 360, We begin tonight with a story that we have been following all day, two days after the shocking video of The British Royal Family being arrested for plotting to overthrow King Robert, a person who was linked to the family is dead and police suspect foul play, we now go live to a police press conference in New York City" Liam thinks New York city? NO IT CAN'T BE he thinks to himself as the police chief begins to speak "Good evening at about 4 o'clock this morning a woman was reported to be laying in the middle of Houston Street, after we got there it was determined that the victim had fallen from her 10th floor apartment balcony, we now can confirm the identity of the victim as being 23-year-old Ophelia Pryce, it's believed that she was thrown from her balcony." Liam turns off the holoscreen, throws the bowl of weed and stomps his way to the simulator room.

In the captain's quarters plans have been forming to over throw Robert, Cyrus says Liam's probably still asleep", "Henstridge to Henstridge, we're planning in the Captains quarters" says Helena to no response, "Frost to Henstridge, Liam come on" no answer for Jasper either, "Computer locate Liam Henstridge" says Commander Greyson, the computer confirms that he's in the simulator room running a boxing program. Alara, Jasper and Helena all rush to the simulator and are horrified by what he they see. Liam is getting pummeled in the middle of the ring by a hologram of Robert who lands a blow that sends Liam down but he gets back up it is the sixth time that he has done so. "Computer freeze program" shouts Alara, they all rush into the ring and tend to Liam who is on his knees, Alara reads the level that Liam had set the program to "He's got it set on level Mike Tyson, who's Mike Tyson" asks Alara. Jasper yells "GODDAMNIT, WHY WOULD HE DO THIS", Helena kneels next to her son and hugs him, he turns to her, his face covered in bruises and stained with blood, and says "Phee, go to my dad he won't blame you he'll protect you." He then stands up walks over to Robert who is on his stool and begins punching ferociously the frozen form of his brother. "LIAM YOU STOP THIS RIGHT NOW", shouts Helena as she's trying to hold him back and talk some sense into him... "NO PHEE LET ME GO I"LL BURY HIM UNDER HELL FOR WHAT HE DID TO YOU" Liam shouts still confusing his mother for Ophelia. Alara joins in trying to restrain Liam, his spirit is testing even her Xelayan strength, Liam finally begins to tire as Alara moves him toward the door with Jasper and Helena following, he sees the form of Robert getting further away points and through heavy breath says "see you in hell brother." They finally get Liam to sick bay still conscious, still struggling, Dr. Finn sedates him and they put him on a bio bed. Len sees her brother on the bed gets up and runs to him "LIAM WAKE UP, WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON!", "Len you should still be in bed" says Dr. Finn. Jasper sweeps Len up his arms and carries her back to her bio bed. She looks up at him and holds his hand and says "I went from my greatest day, to my lowest point a day later, when I woke up there you were on the floor, I felt... safe, I know that we're I this together", he kisses her and says "always", Alara comes up to Jasper and says "I hate to do this to you but we have training in the simulator to do" He looks back at Len and she says "I'm fine now go train like your gonna fight Rubber Lang" he smiles rolls his eyes and then leaves with Alara. "Did I get it wrong" Len inquires, just then she turns her head toward where Liam is, and sees Dr. Finn operating on him. Two children walk into sickbay looking for their mom, "mom" the older child calls out, not even looking up she says "I'm in the middle of an operation I can't come for dinner", Len motions for them to come over to her, "Hi" she says to which the older child replies "you're... you're her... Princess Eleanor, it's not every day we have a living legend on the Orville," she says "guilty as charged, what are your names," the older one says I'm Marcus, and this is my brother Ty", Ty starts crying, Len motions for him to come over to her and hugs him she then says, "hey I'm gonna be alright", "It's not that" he says, and Marcus then says with concern "We should go Ty", Len inquires as to why, and Ty says "when you go to change the king, your mom dies" Len stays stoic Infront of the kids, "how" she asks, "she jumped Infront of you and took a bullet" says Marcus. Len wants to cry her eyes out, but stays strong, "who... who shot my mum," Marcus knows this will crush her but knows she needs to be told "It was King Robert", She wants to let all her emotions out, just then the robot Isaac comes in to take the boys to dinner, Ty hugs Len one more time before leaving which brings a smile to her face for a moment, she looks over at Helena who is over with Liam watching the operation, she smiles and thinks to herself "my mum is a badass", but has tears starting to well up at the thought of losing her.

"The operation was a success; he may be groggy when he wakes up but he will make a full recovery" Dr. Finn says to Helena, "Thank you doctor, for everything, you've brought the most precious people in my life back from the brink of death twice in two days" replies Helena, "Thats the power of medical science your majesty, but please try to dissuade your son from fighting Iron Mike in the future", Helena laughs and quips "thank God he's retired". Dr. Finn leaves a medic in charge for the night shift and goes back to her quarters. Helena sees Len with red eyes from crying, she runs over and hugs her daughter, "he's going to be ok" she says as Len hugs her back and says "that's good, what happened to him" she sees the bruises although diminished on his face, "he was boxing in the simulator against your brother, and apparently Liam thought Robert should have the skill and strength of Mike Tyson, he kept calling me a name that I can't remember what it was but he said go to my dad he won't blame you", Len lightly squeezes her mother's hand and says "whatever it is mum, I'll watch over Liam, you go and try to do something enjoyable..., hey mum thanks", "for what darling" Helena asks, "never mind, I love you" Len replies, Helena smiles tells Len she loves her too, then she goes over to the operation area and says "I'm only a commscanner away son." She leaves and finds out the ship has an arboretum.

About an hour later Len wakes up from a light sleep, she looks over at Liam who has a smile on his face, she thinks to herself "must be a good dream." In Liam's dream he is with Ophelia... they are making out on a couch, and she says "I love that we got back together, you're the love of my life Liam", he looks in her eyes and says "as you are mine, I got a surprise for you", he hands her a first-class ticket to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. She looks at him with tears of joy... "You remember" she says, he kisses her and says "tomorrow, we will be on the beach, and then a gondola ride to the statue of Christ." She pulls him on top of her and they both passionately kiss, then with the suddenness of a lightning strike someone kicks the apartment door in... it's Robert. "What the hell are you doing here" shouts Liam, "I'm here to punish people for their mistakes" his brother coldly replies, Liam lunges at Robert, but he stops Liam in his tracks with an electric cattle prod, Robert then walks over near Ophelia, who is shouting at him to leave. Liam tries to crawl over to his brother, but he has no strength as the prod was designed to stop a charging bull. Robert inches closer to Ophelia, "so you're the daughter of the man who killed my father, I don't really care about that so you get a pass." She looks at him with a defiant look and says "what" almost in a whisper, "but you're also a whore that tried to infect my family with your common blood, that was a mistake," she punches him in the nose which draws blood and says to him "oh and inbreeding is so much better have fun being the new Hapsburg's, have fun cleaning up your perfect blood" he grabs her by the throat and throws her to the center of the room. "NO BROTHER STOP THIS, YOUR STILL MY BROTHER ROBERT" shouts Liam, without even turning around he says "sorry Sparrow that's not gonna work." Back in the real-world Len hears Liam mumble "no she, she not deserve" Len goes over to the operation area and says "what is going on in that head of yours Liam Henstridge, you've been there for me, now I'm here for you." Back in the dream Liam hears a voice that he believes belongs to an angel, but he focuses on Robert and Ophelia, he can barely crawl now but Robert picks up Ophelia and says to her "your execution has been signed", she spits in his face, he pushes her toward the balcony when he says "well Miss Pryce I hear hell is lovely this time of year, I hope you enjoy your flight" Liam is only inching closer, when he sees Robert pick the love of his life up over his head, "ROBERT PUT HER DOWN", Robert cruelly says "as you wish Sparrow", Ophelia just shouts "I LOVE YOU", Robert then heaves her into the street below, Liam just shouts "OPHELIAAAAAA!" In the real-world Liam's heart rate is spiking, alarms are going off the medic contacts Dr. Finn. Liam audibly blurts out "I Kill you Robert, I kill you!" Len proceeds to cradle her brother's head and whispers "come on Liam don't do this, I can't lose you, be strong for me... please" Liam flatlines and Len lets out a pained whimpered "no." In the dream he hears the angel say "be strong for me" and feels the hug around his head, he realizes its Len and says "he won't get you too" Len's voice is to Liam as spinach is to Popeye. His heart rate goes up, he opens his eyes, and whispers to his sister "I will always be strong for you", Len whispers "thank god you're alive" she releases the hug but he stands wraps her up in a big hug and says "He's not gonna get you too, I won't let him" Len pulls out of the hug and says "you too, what the fuck does that mean", he looks at her with literal rivers flowing from his eyes and says "she's dead Lenni, she's dead, he killed her and it's my fault" Len is visibly shaken and demands "WHO KILLED WHO LIAM" he hugs her again and says "Phee's dead Lenni" Len quizzically says "Phee" her eyes widen she pushes back from him and says in a semi raised broken voice "Phee... Ph... no... you mean OPHELIA." Len begins crying as well, and says "it's not your fault for loving her Liam." Liam tries to wipe tears from her eyes and says in an absolutely crushed voice "If I didn't love her, she'd still be alive, I was punishing myself in that simulator", she slaps him and looks angry, "don't you ever say that again, she was the only genuine friend I ever had, she would not want you to blame yourself, that's what Robert wants." Liam then says "You saved my life Lenni, your voice cut through all the chaos, in that dream, after I saw him toss her off that balcony, I wanted to die, but I couldn't knowing he could still get you." She looks at him and says "I'll be strong for both of us today, now let's get you some food." She goes to the synthesizer and returns with a bacon butty, Liam smiles, eats it, and thanks her for it.

To Be Continued

Opheliam Forever

Ophelia Pryce 08/11/1994-05/16/2018

Bring Back The Royals